BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of September 25, 2007

 

The Board met at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 at the Commissioner’s Meeting Room, 240 NW Vancouver Avenue in Stevenson, with Commissioners Paul Pearce, Chair, James D. Richardson and Jamie Tolfree present, to give updates on attendance at various meetings, with no action taken.

 

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 25, 2007 at the Commissioner’s Meeting Room, 240 NW Vancouver Avenue in Stevenson, with Commissioners Paul Pearce, Chair, James D. Richardson and Jamie Tolfree present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance. 

 

Mary Repar inquired about a west end trail and trail head, the status of grading and stormwater ordinances, and advised of concerns regarding the number of septic systems in Carson and log rafts in Drano Lake.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:

1.       Minutes for week of September 18, 2007.

2.       Acknowledge submission of a grant application for public defense funding to the WA State Office of Public Defense.

3.       Liquor license renewals for Skamania General Store and Washougal River Mercantile.

4.       Agreement with Parks & Recreation Commission to provide grant funding for boat patrol & boating classes.

5.       Memorandum of Understanding with WA State Traffic Commission to provide funding for overtime pay for a certified Drug Recognition Expert from the Sheriff’s Office to be used when a WA State Patrol employee is not available for incidents within Skamania County.

6.       Agreement with Greater Columbia Behavioral Health to provide funding to operate a Prepaid Inpatient Health Plan to provide medically necessary mental health services to Medicaid eligible clients.

7.       Agreement with Greater Columbia Behavioral Health to provide funding for emergency and outpatient mental health treatment for Medicaid eligible clients.

8.       Agreement with Longview Goodwill Industries to provide useful community service assignments for low-income mature workers in order to increase their skills and assist transition to permanent employment, at no cost to Skamania County.

9.       Resolution 2007-40 amending revolving fund for Senior Services volunteer drivers mileage and other authorized travel expenses.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to award the bid for the Salmon Falls Park and Ride and Canyon Creek Road Realignment Project to James Dean Construction, Inc of Glenwood, WA for the total amount of $411,571.00.

 

Marilyn Butler, Director of Administrative Services gave an overview of 2008 budget requests and presented the 2008 Preliminary Budget.

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to ratify the Board’s action of September 24, 2007 approving Resolution 2007-41 declaring a local emergency due to fire activity.

 

The Board discussed the restriction of small debris fires that ends on September 30, 2007.  The Board deferred their decision regarding whether or not to extend the restriction until Tuesday, October 2, 2007.

 

Larry Douglass, Public Works Director reported on Rock Creek Slide conveyance and timber removal projects, private road standards, Engineering projects, County Road projects, ER&R, Solid Waste, and Building Department.

 

The Board met with Claire Lavendel, Gifford Pinchot National Forest Supervisor, Nancy Ryke, Mt Adams District Ranger and Tom Mulder, Mount St Helens Monument District Ranger.  Topics and issues discussed included flood and storm damage issues on roads and trails, timber sales, Swift area, county payments bill, trailhead camping, Hemlock Lake, Wind River site water system, Sawtooth Huckleberry project, Mount St. Helens Monument, and the upcoming 100th birthday celebrations of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and the Skamania County Fair.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 25, 2007 and reconvened at 11:45 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

A public hearing was held to consider Resolution 2007-37 Supplemental Budget #2 for 2007 to supplement budgets for various department funds due to unanticipated expenditures and revenues unknown at the time of passing the 2007 budget.  Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to approve Resolution 2007-37 Supplemental Budget #2 for 2007.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:50 a.m. Tuesday, September 25, 2007 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to approve a request from Jerry Sauer, amending the approval granted on July 10, 2007 for a conservation boundary line adjustment that consists of changing the existing lot line configuration of the south half of the island area between the Muddy River and the Lewis River on parcel numbers 07-06-24-0-0-0700-00 and 07-06-24-0-0-0200-00 located in Section 24, T7N, R6E, W.M., Skamania County, Washington, subject to the following conditions:

1.       No bonus lots or other special considerations will be granted due to the voluntary conservation boundary line adjustment;

2.       All deeds to process the voluntary boundary line adjustment will be processed at the same time; and,

3.       The new deed for the parcel containing the island shall state there is a 10-year moratorium on land divisions beginning at the time the boundary line adjustment is recorded.

 

Ann Lueders, Safety Committee Chair reported on the Safety Committee meeting of September 11, 2007.  The Board reviewed and discussed the following reports: #2007-E-12, #2007-17, #2007-19, #2007-20, #2007-21, #2007-22, #2007-E-15, and #2007-E-16.  Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to agree with the Safety Committee’s findings and recommendations for all reports submitted.

 

The meeting recessed at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 25, 2007 and reconvened at 5:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

A public hearing was held to consider Ordinance 2007-12 adoption of Interim Zoning Controls for Swift Subarea.  Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director gave a staff report and advised of one correction that needed to be made in Section 21.68.110, subsection (A), deleting #13 and renumbering the remainder of the subsection accordingly.  Comments from the public included commercial timber owner’s commitment to long term timber management, request for the moratorium to be lifted if interim zoning is adopted, need to protect wildlife habitat, need for increased fire and law enforcement services, concern regarding critical areas, need to protect health, safety and welfare of citizens, and the need to keep commercial resources.  The hearing was closed to public comments.  Following deliberations by the Board, Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to approve Ordinance 2007-12 adding a new Chapter 21.68 Swift Interim Zoning to Skamania County Code Title 21 Zoning, with the correction to Section 21.68.110, subsection (A), deleting #13 and renumbering the remainder of the subsection accordingly.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to set a public hearing for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 16, 2007 to consider repealing the moratorium on the acceptance and processing of building, mechanical and/or plumbing permits on any parcel of land 20 acres or larger that was created by deed since February 16, 2006, the acceptance and processing of land divisions creating lots of less than 10 acres, on the construction/placement of more than one single-family dwelling per legal lot of record, and the acceptance and processing of State Environmental Policy Act checklists related to forest practice conversions for any parcel located within the area known as the Swift Subarea of Skamania County.

 

The meeting recessed at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, September 25, 2007 and reconvened at 8:45 a.m. Wednesday, September 26, 2007, with Commissioners Pearce and Richardson present.

 

The Board observed a federal hearing in Washington, DC via the internet regarding county payments House Bill 3058.

 

Commissioner Tolfree joined the meeting at approximately 10:00 a.m.

 

The Board participated in 2008 Preliminary Budget workshops with the following departments, with no action taken: Community Events and Recreation, Buildings and Grounds, Pool, Fair, and Capital Improvements.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 11:50 a.m. until 12:00 pm., with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 26, 2007 and reconvened at 1:05 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 1:05 p.m. until 2:00 p.m., with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 26, 2007 and reconvened at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, September 27, 2007, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to approve a voucher to the Department of Revenue in the total amount of $6,963.79.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve vouchers for the period ending September 27, 2007 in the total amount of $127,392.67.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with the Auditor to discuss job description changes and payroll issues, with no action taken.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to authorize the payment of sick leave cash out to Lenora Bringman based on her eligibility for retirement, noting that her letter of resignation still stands.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:50 a.m. Thursday, September 27, 2007 and reconvened at 11:10 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 11:10 a.m. until 11:40 a.m., with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:40 a.m. Thursday, September 27, 2007 and reconvened at 12:40 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 12:40 p.m. until 1:05 p.m., with no action taken.

 

The Board participated in 2008 Preliminary Budget workshops with the following departments, with no action taken: Superior Court, Trial Court Improvement, Juvenile, Clerk, Clerk’s Collection, Treasurer, and Planning and Community Development.

 

The meeting recessed at 2:20 p.m. Thursday, September 27, 2007 and reconvened at 2:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in 2008 Preliminary Budget workshops with the following departments, with no action taken: Prosecutor, Support Enforcement, Crime Victims Compensation, Law Library, Coroner, Central Services, Counseling Center, and Public Health.

 

The meeting recessed at 4:05 p.m. Thursday, September 27, 2007 and reconvened at 4:20 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to authorize the County Clerk to proceed with purchasing the Liberty Recording System in 2007 and direct a supplemental budget to implement the system.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to acknowledge receipt of the 2006 Skamania County Financial Statements and Federal Single Audit Report from Washington State Auditor’s Office.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 4:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 5:00 p.m. Thursday, September 27, 2007 and reconvened at 6:00 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with local Fire Districts to review and discuss the status and further funding of the Community Wildfire Protection Plan.  Present were representatives from Fire Districts #1, #2, #3, #6, and Mill A; Ole Helgerson, WSU Cooperative Extension Agent, and Sara Zielin, Title III Wildfire Project Coordinator.  Discussion included the need for deliverables such as map books with necessary data to be provided to fire districts to complete the Plan, need to get survey data to homeowners, and the need for a meeting with the Gorge Commission and Forest Service regarding screening requirements in the Scenic Area.

 

The meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m. Thursday, September 27, 2007.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON